LIFE Posts - Surrendering our idols, part 2
Last week we started to look at the need of removing any idols in our life – some may be known to us, others hidden. We dug into the reality of how things can become idols, an idol being anything that we put our hope, trust, or desire above God or His Will. We are called to put aside any surrender every worldly thing to God. This week we look at relationships, and how they too can become more important to us than God. We can make any relationship an idol when we desire that relationship more than God, or if we choose to handle the relationship in a manner outside of God’s Will.
Let’s revisit one of last week’s scriptures, where Jesus talked about the priority of relationships to family relative to relationship with Him.
Matthew 10:37 (NLT) 10:37 “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. [1]
As we saw in last week’s discussion, Exodus 20:2-5 makes it clear that nothing is to be worshipped or prioritized ahead of God. This prohibition includes placing people ahead of God. Matthew 10:37 above can be shocking to the system, exactly because (in healthy family relationships) we so deeply love our parents and children. The parallel passage in Luke 14:26 makes it even more stark:
Luke 14:26 (NASB95) 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. [2]
Whoa – hate!? Here Biblical commentaries help us understand the usage of that word. Scholar Murray Harris writes,
“Does this [instruction to hate family members] contradict the fifth commandment to honor one’s father and mother (Exodus 20:12)?
No, because here we confront another (see the previous chapter) vivid and distinctive Semitic idiom, in which “hate” means “love less.” Jesus is insisting, in dramatic and unforgettable fashion, that his followers should regard family ties as secondary to the demands of the kingdom of God that he embodies.”[3]
An idiom is an expression or group of words whose meaning cannot be understood by the definitions of the words themselves. Examples of idioms in the English language are “spill the beans” and “swing for the fences.” Someone with an English dictionary but no other exposure to spoken English wouldn’t know that these two expressions mean “tell the truth” and “make a risky effort to get a huge reward.” So it is with “hate” in Luke 14:26 – Commentors Black and Dockery write, “The more primitive Semitic idiom of Luke has been reexpressed by Matthew [in Matthew 10:37] in both a historically reliable manner and in a way that cannot be misunderstood.”[4]
Even understanding the idiomatic usage of “hate” in Luke means to “love less than,” in both books Jesus makes it utterly clear – we must love God more than our parents, siblings, spouse, and children, and by inference, more than any other dear relationship. This instruction would include even our pets since some people love their pets more than they love other people.
If this causes emotional churn, know that the devil – our enemy – loves to push on the emotional buttons we have within our souls. We need to always remember the fact that God loves us more than we can imagine; beyond that, He loves our loved ones more than we or they can imagine too. God desires, and indeed enables, our relationship with Him to be closer and dearer than our closest earthly relationships.
Yet, we still are confronted with the fact that we must choose to place God over those other people or things that we love. This choice requires effort and thought, not mindless assent by simply saying words that “God is number one” but not taking steps to develop our relationship with Him. In Genesis we see how Abraham had to make such a choice. He and his wife Sarah waited in faith for 25 years for their promised son Isaac to be born. Though the Bible doesn’t explicitly state how long after he was born before Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac, scholars estimate he was between 5 and 37 years old – deeply loved and cherished by his parents.[5] In James 2:23 we’re told that Abraham was called a “friend of God.” His relationship with God wasn’t shallow, and he understood that his Father in heaven could be trusted and was worthy of utter obedience. Abraham didn’t delay and "early the next morning" set about the task God gave him. Ultimately, when God saw that Abraham was going to obey Him even though it meant losing his prized and promised son, God provided an alternative sacrifice – the ram in the bush. (Genesis 22:1-18). God’s test of Abraham was to see how he would choose – God or his son? Abraham’s faith is praised in other scripture, i.e., Hebrews 11, his faith clearly more than just faith that God would give a son to an elderly couple. Abraham's complete faith in God was on display when he obeyed the call to sacrifice his son.
God does not test us with literal requests for human sacrifice today, but our allegiance to Him over everyone else will be tested in other ways. A common example is children requesting or demanding access to things that are counter to prioritizing God, such as wanting to be part of a sports league that requires missing church all the time because the league meets every Sunday morning. Another example is a job that pays well but requires prioritizing the job far ahead of family and of course God. It could be a close and dear friend that constantly wants to draw you back into a lifestyle that God doesn’t approve of. The list is endless and requires us to submit our choices to the Lord, and even if the decision causes the other party to be upset with you, obeying God and His Will is always to be the priority.
A second way we can mis-handle relationships is by hating others or treating them in a way outside of God’s commands, such as by withholding forgiveness. This, too, is a tough topic to accept sometimes. We will look much more closely at forgiveness in a future post, but for now we will just emphasize that Jesus – while demanding our utmost priority and love for Himself – commands us to love other people as much as we love ourselves. He also says that if we forgive others for their sins against us, God will in turn forgive our sins. (Matthew 6:14-15). If we hold on to hurt and offense and choose to refuse to let forgiveness flow out of us, we need to deeply consider whether we’ve taken those wounds or strained relationship with the other person and made them an idol – something we have raised higher than God or His Will.
Application/Questions/Journal your thoughts
- The expression “chip off the old block” is an idiom describing a child that closely resembles one of their parents in either looks, manners, or personality. I once had a meeting with the daughter of one of my prior bosses, and in the conversation, I found her mannerisms and approach to problem solving so much like her dad that it was like I was talking to him. When I worked for her father, it was clear that he adored her and loved her immensely as he often talked about her. She clearly reciprocated that love, and in that relationship, adopted much of his thinking and verbal expressions. As Christians, we are children of God (1 John 3:1-2), and joint heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:14-17). Since we are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), we are born again and anew - and from there are to grow as “chips off of the block” of our Heavenly Father. Our ongoing sanctification will bring us to proper order of relationships – we love God first and most but also love others in proper order. Spend time with the Holy Spirit, asking for revelation for any relationship that needs to be brought into His proper order.
- If we allow hurts – things that have been done to us or others we love – to define our relationship with other people, we may be making an idol of those hurts - in turn making our relationship with them an idol. Sometimes this can be a taught item that is a generational sin, such as racism or even cultural hate for people whose prior generations committed atrocities in wars. Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any relationship or attitude towards others that is in need of correction. Since this can be a deep revelation – ask the Holy Spirit for a person to help you through this process of healing as an accountability partner and guide.
Scripture of the week
Joshua 22:5 (NASB95) 22:5 “Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” [6]
Colossians 3:13–14 (NASB95) 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 3:14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. [7]
1 Peter 4:8 (NASB95) 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. [8]
Psalm 139:23–24 (NET 2nd ed.) 139:23 Examine me, and probe my thoughts! Test me, and know my concerns. 139:24 See if there is any idolatrous tendency in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. [9]
Psalm 26:2 (NET 2nd ed.) 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and test me. Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives. [10]
Psalm 51:10 (NET 2nd ed.) 51:10 Create for me a pure heart, O God. Renew a resolute spirit within me. [11]
1 John 1:9 (NET 2nd ed.) 1:9 But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness. [12]
Weekly prayer
Dear Jesus,
I repent of loving anyone more than You – and thank You that You died for me knowing that is how I was. I thank You that Your Holy Spirit lives in me and gives me the ability to be sanctified as I submit each relationship to You, loving them still but as You love them, not as idols before You. I repent of hating others, treating them in a way counter to You Word instructs me. Thank You for loving me through and out of my idolatry by cleansing me – I submit myself to You and thank You that I am a child of the Father! Amen.
Freedom Facet
Earthly relationships are sometimes idols that we’re unaware of; whether loving people more than we love God or by hating them when God says to love them – any relationship outside of the order God calls us to is an idol if we refuse to surrender them to God. Our relationship with Him is to be our most important one – and praise God that it is to be so close that as we walk with Him, others will begin to see His attributes coming forth of our lives, including experiencing love that only He can enable. Being transformed, more like Jesus, will have others see us as “chips off of the block” of our Heavenly Father – isn’t that exciting?!
Jesus's Freedom is for those who call Him Lord - those who believe in Him. If you’ve not yet accepted Christ Jesus as Your Lord, and would like to, say the following prayer aloud.
Lord Jesus, I confess and realize that I am a sinner, and without You, I am lost and separated from God. Thank You for going to the cross and dying for my sins – I ask for Your forgiveness for my sins, and I thank you and receive the forgiveness of my sins Your Word says is now mine! Holy Spirit, I thank You that You now reside within me. I lay down my will for Yours and ask for Your daily guidance and direction to make me more and more like You. Amen!
The Bible tells us that if we confess Jesus as Lord with our mouth and believe in our hearts that God resurrected Jesus from the dead, we are saved for eternity. If you’ve just accepted Jesus as Lord, know that heaven is celebrating right now (Luke 15:10)! Rejoice because you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and now have begun the process of sanctification becoming like Him. Keep coming back, as we explore Freedom facets and what our Identity in Christ truly is. Share this joyous news with a brother or sister in Christ and get connected in your local church! LIFE is yours!
Small Group Invitations - Week of June 7, 2026
Below are invitations to just a couple of Men's Small Groups that are happening this week, both a part of Celebration Church, Georgetown, Texas. If these don't work for you, or if you're not a Celebration Church, TX attendee - regardless of the church you attend - being a part of small group is immensely important! If you're not involved in one, I pray that you find one that works for your schedule and you get plugged in. Being connected in the local church will bless you immeasurably!
Tuesday Morning Men's Fellowship Group: 6am - 7am at Rudy's BBQ in Round Rock, Texas. Join us for a time of fellowship where we'll discuss the message from the Pastors on Sunday, the newsletter contents, or whatever is going on in the lives of the brothers meeting.
Friday Morning Celebration Men: We're back on-campus starting this Friday, join us at the Celebration Church, Georgetown, TX campus Annex at 6:30 am for breakfast tacos, coffee, and a message from our pastors. We conclude at 8am so people can get to work.
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. 2015. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[3] Harris, Murray J. 2020. Navigating Tough Texts: A Guide to Problem Passages in the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] Black, David Alan, and David S. Dockery. 2001. Interpreting the New Testament: Essays on Methods and Issues. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[5] Got Questions Ministries. 2014–2021. Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered. Vol. 2. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife.
[6] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[7] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[8] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[9] Biblical Studies Press. 2019. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson.
[10] Biblical Studies Press. 2019. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson.
[11] Biblical Studies Press. 2019. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson.
[12] Biblical Studies Press. 2019. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson.